For my First real iron set, after coming off a starter set.

[iammike]

Ok so, i've got a 4 year old set of Dunlop irons. They were kind of a copy of the ping i3's. They look similar, they say they're oversized. At the time they felt right, and i wanted to get a whole set for not that much (i think i paid like 300 dollars for pw - 3iron 5-wood 3 wood driver. So in the past year I've gotten much more serious about the game of golf and really starting to come into my own. My scores i think will begin to show it.

So i'm thinking of where to go from here. I want to buy something that is going to last me a long time, and be adequate for all situations as I improve my game.

What do people suggest for a good iron set. (i have to say i'm looking more for value than expense, but I'm sure if somethings the best of the best, and its worth it.. i may consider it.)

For some reason i think the Callaway fusion irons look cool, though i'm not sure I have a grand to smack down on them. I've also read a good review on the Wilson Ci6 (which can be had fairly inexpensively from places like golfsmith i think).

What else would be good to look at.. .or what should i be considering?

[DDBowdoin]

welcome to our great game... investing in a new set of irons is an exciting process...

Given your experience and skill level I believe that a set of game improvement irons would best suit your game...with this in mind there are countless of manufacturers and models to choose from. These irons tend to be casted cavity back irons with a forgiving amount of offset and a wider sole. These are the characteristics you definately want to consider. The next step is to find somewhere where you can be fitted... getting fitted is the best way to avoid having to have your club realtered and possibly avoiding having to buy another set of clubs. When you are fitted they will place you on a launch monitor which will read your swing speed and other useful information in selecting your clubs. Once these details are squared away its time to keep your options open and begin to demo clubs... its best to take them on a course but the driving range is alright as well...

as for specific clubs I personally think there are much better options out there than the fusion irons. Look at the Taylormade OS2 and HT lines (the HT is currently being offered at a nice reduced price of 400)... Mizuno, Nike and Macgregor also offer very nice clubs, the way I look at it is when you are beginging to play seriously the major club manufacturers all make nice game improvement irons... getting into specifics about lofts and specific metals used and specialty shafts come later when you can accurate determine those aspects of your game

get out there and get fitted, take some time to demo clubs (as many as you can) and find what feels best

[iammike]

yeah i'd imagine the whole "getting fitted" idea was coming.

Makes a lot of sense.

I'll have to check out those HT line taylormades.

[DDBowdoin]

it just helps you avoid unwanted costs...for instance if you get the wrong flex in your shafts reshafting the club can run you 11 bucks a shaft for installation, plus a grip plus the cost of the shaft... so around 30-40 a club...

[iacas]

yeah i'd imagine the whole "getting fitted" idea was coming.

You may have to pay for your fitting if you're shopping for the bargain kind of clubs ($300 to $400). Lots of times they'll roll the cost of a fitting into your iron purchase, but I don't know if they do that out of habit for the more inexpensive sets.

[lumpuckeroo]

I would suggest Ping irons. They can last a life time and Ping really stand by there equipment.

[iammike]

You may have to pay for your fitting if you're shopping for the bargain kind of clubs ($300 to $400). Lots of times they'll roll the cost of a fitting into your iron purchase, but I don't know if they do that out of habit for the more inexpensive sets.

I have a shop around me that i think said they do fittings for most brands for free. I've been meaning to get out there and do that.

[DDBowdoin]

make sure you try to get fitted with a launch monitor... its really the best way to determine shaft flex... I've gone places and have had associates try to tell me my swing speed by looking at the club... if they don't have one its not the end of the world but its def. nice... massachusetts has just recently introduced hot stick technology, my hot stick fitting was a little more than what I wanted to spend but I figured I was already dropping 800 dollars might as well do it the right way...